Oakdale Academy

\r This is a teriffic place to send your child if you want to show them how the less fortunate must live. They will be served tiny portions of barely edible lunches that are provided at the lowest cost imaginable. Nothing goes to waste here, so leftovers are often recycled; a good way to teach kids to be frugal and economical. Chicken nuggets and french fries are counted (3 nuggets & 10 fries per child) so it will provide them a good foundation in arithmatic.\r \r YOur child will learn so much in this school. Mine developed a colorful vocabulary consisting of four letter words and repeated much of the verbal abuse heard there. \r \r You will be treated like a member of the Oakdale Academy Family, as long as your check clears. \r \r Your child will meet and be exposed to lots of different people, as the staff turnover is so tremendous that they will have a new teacher every few weeks! What better way to afford your child such a vast knowledge of different teaching styles. \r Often they are so short staffed that they combine several classes into one, with children of different ages. This is a great way to teach your young child to defend themself against bullies. In fact, older children are often left in charge of toddlers, which is an effective way to teach your older child responsibilty. \r \r Wait, the learning doesn't stop there! Oakdale academy does quite a bit of science too! Your children will experience first hand exactly what happens when bacteria is allowed to accumulate on toilets, desks and play things. They will get desensitized to all sorts of smells, like cigarette smoke and dirty diapers. While students in other schools are only reading about these things, your child will see and touch! \r \r The education does not stop with the kids. No sir! You as the parent will learn how to sell hundreds upon hundreds of dollars worth of candy each month?. This might open up new opportunities to you in the fields of sales or marketing,. \r \r And for those of you who may be a bit rusty, you will get a crash course in mathematics/. Exactly how is it that the parent of ONE child must provide TWENTY notebooks, FOUR DOZEN pencils, TWELVE folders, TWENTY glue sticks, 200 business envelopes and TWO reams of copy paper?! You may also wonder how each parent must pay $20 bus fare for their child to go on a day trip just a few miles down the road?. Multiply all these numbers by 36 (the number of pupils) and you will see that Oakdale does quite well with having parents meet their overhead, plus a little to spare?. \r \r You as the parent will be guarded against any ghastly sights or smells from the interior because parents are not allowed into the building"". The farthest you as a parent will get is the office, where your money will be collected and your child brought to you filthy and hungry/.\r \r You may even acquire a new wardrobe for your child, as they sometimes send the kid home in strange clothing that does not belong to them!. \r \r Dont miss out! Doesnt your child deserve the very best???!!! more

all five of my children have been going there for 3 years . my two oldest children have left to regular schools but my three youngest boys still go there . My twins love it there . they are happy they have love and attention. They have never came home with a wet diaper wet clothes no rashes . I love it there and I don't trust anyone with my children . I will be there as long as my kids are accepted there. more

My daughter has been attending Oakdale Academy for over 2 years now and she loves it more and more each day! Being a working parent, I had to find a day care for my 3 month old and it was extremely difficult. When i walked into this building, I was at ease. The building itself is gorgeous, friendly and clean. The staff truely shows they care for each child and they show it everyday. I've been informed of everything that goes on during the day since the day Jessie started. There has been the occasional forgotten bottle or pacifier, but those are human errors. They potty trained my daughter and I couldn't thank them enough for all the wonderful things they have shown my baby! more

My son has been in the infant room at Oakdale Academy for the past 6 months and yes he does get sent home with food on his clothes and bibs, but he goes in so happy and loves the caregivers there. It puts my mind at ease to see him so happy. He eats sloppy when I feed him to. I am sent pictures every once in awhile to show me cute things he is doing. Sitting at work, it is such a pleasure to know the person in charge understands how much I miss my son. I call daily and sometimes they don't have the time to talk to me on the phone, which bothered me at first but I've come to realize that they don't have time to spare. The ice was a problem I agree, but we have of 60 inches of snow this winter, ice was everywhere. more

I had a very hard time finding recent ratings on any daycares on SI unfortunately so my husband & I decided to just go into the places ourselves to interview them. When we first went to Oakdale, it seemed great. It was clean, the people there seemed to treat the children well & we felt comfortable sending our child there after the interview was over. more

After veiwing many schools in action all unannounced I decided to go with Oakdale as it offers the best of all worlds. they have beeen in business longer than anyone on the island and they have had the smae administrationn for over 24 yers-- that speaks volumes to me of dedication Pros: wish there were better cubbies a little larger more

I started here several years ago by enrolling my kid in camp and I have remained here ever since. They do a nice job with a variety of ages and I have experienced them from school age down to an infant. The camp is so much fun for them and they are never bored. they come home with great sotries of how the day wnet and what visitor came to entertain them. The baby is always clean and ususally comes home with everything I packed. She is well fed and is always happy to go to the teachers. I have dropped in several times without calling and always have been warmly greeted and allowed to play with my little ones. The staff is friendly and have never had an issue with them. Pros: Very flexible and and likeable people works with yu for financing Cons: No parking with bus stop being in front more

My kids have attend for the past 3 years and i have tried 2 other schools before coming here., This place does a better job and offers more flexibility than any other one I tried and my kids seem much happier. they really come home clean and with the cutuest projects. I feel they really listen to my needs and concerens and do a good job of pleasing both me and the kids. I feel secure every day when I go off to work. Pros: lots of happy smiles and greeted with smiles from staff and kids Cons: lack of parking and no more hot lunch more

the ""real parent"" reviews are accurate! Check this place out FULLY. Look in the cabinets, go into all the rooms? Is there any soap in the bathrooms? Better yet, look in the bathrooms! Is your child cranky, disheveled and withdrawn when you pick them up? Pros: socialization Cons: gosh... too many to list more

I spent way too much time attempting to solve issues amicably. In short, there is zero communication regarding problems or progress. My child was absolutely miserable here & talkilng to the director to get to the bottom of the problem was a waste of time, as all I got was inconsistencies and half-truths. My child would come home filty & hungry each day & was often left in a high chair for extended periods of time. Staff turnover is tremendous, they cannot seem to keep decent people employed & I saw new caregivers come & go every few weeks. I found their strict closed door policy very suspicious & was horrified, but sadly, not very surprised, to read in the paper that one of their teachers assistants was arrested for sexually abusing a 5 year old inside the facility over the span of three months. This happened under the noses of the director and management & NOBODY NOTICED! I couldn't get my child out of there fast enough & my advice to other parents is to spare yourself the headache & save your children the trauma. I will be more than happy to furnish additional detals of what my child endured there upon request Pros: aside from the convienient location, none at all Cons: closed door policy, huge staff turnover, neglectful care, I can go on & on... more

I can gladly sing the praises of Oakdale Academy as they have truly enriched and nourished the life of my children and afforded me the opportunity to be a gulitless working parent, knowing what good hands my kids are in each day. The staff at Oakdale Academy truly impresses me with the wonderful and geniuine concern and consideration they have for the children there. They are wonderful at being flexible with schedules and handling anything I throw at them with ease. They have been able to work with me with a crazy schedule I have with my work and they have allowed me to help a very reluctant toddler enter the program gently. They share eagerly with me as I make my check in call each midday and never seem annoyed with any special concerns or requests. Pros: The general feeling of warmth and the cleanliness Cons: No parking lot more

I enrolled my 2 children here almost 2 years ago. They have consistently demonstrated the kind of caring and concern you would expect from a family member. They have treated me and children with wonderful warmth and affection. The school is very clean and has a bright and cheery environment. They have had some staff turnover during the time I have been there, but they have never let me or children down. They make certain to train the teachers well. The projects and keepsakes they bring home are terrific and love the enthusiasm the children show about going to school each day. It makes my job as a working parent so much easier. They have been there for me emotionally and financially when I went through an unexpected divorcre and they have provided me with all the reassurance I needed during that time. When my little starting acting out during this time, as he was confused with all the changes going on, they were there for him and helped him work through it with patience and love. I don;t think you can find a better place on the island. Pros: Best staff and administration and projects Cons: parking more

I found this school to be one of the best on island and I would say in NY. I wasa referred by a fellow commuter. After trying 2 other schools on the island and being really frutstrated with the lack of care and education I felt my children were receiving I was about ready to consider hiring a nanny. I am a professioanl working in the city and need long hours. The first center I tried was unresponsive to my child's needs and there was never anyone in charge address issues. My children came home dirty or with unexplained little scratches. After this happend several times I tried another day care. I checked out the new school and it seemed ok -- but then similar events occured. After sharing my woes with a fellow express bus rider she receommeded I try Oakdale. I am so grateful. She gave great advice and I will be in her debt forever. Oakdale is warm and welcoming and the staff is quite friendly. I know turnover in this industry is high and there have been some teacher changes since I have enrolled my kids almost 2 years ago now-- but the quality remains. I believe they realy have standards, a real curriculum and a very accountable administration. This really makes a difference. My kids come happy and clean each day and if there is ever a bump or a bruise I get a report and a letter and even sometimes a phone call. Theya re flexible with rates and schedules and offer quite a lot. The new teacher trainer this year is lovely and I am sure she will be another great asset this school has. They have very creative programs and my kids really enjoy themselves. This year my 4 year old has homework, textbooks and is really learning to read! I feel I have become an expert on day care and preschools as I have the run the gamut from ordinary to horrible to Oakdale the best! Many times people open day cares in their homes or run small out og the basement types-- this truly is a school-- it has great ammenties and a program you can rely on. Pros: Great staff, classroom are bright and cheery and clean Cons: No parking lot more

Oakdale is probably the worst pre-school I have ever seen. I had to pull my child out because of the care (or lack thereof) received. My child's diaper went unchanged for an entire day on more than one occasion, and any complaints to the staff or management resulted in lip service only. Staff turnover is high, so you never know who is REALLY taking care of your child. I caught one of the staff members screaming at an infant for soiling their diaper (umm.. that's what infants do, isn't it?) I filed complaints with the Department of Health, but I don't have faith that anything will happen. Pros: None that I can think of. Cons: Inattentive staff, sub-standard care more

Oakdale offers a wonderful program to young children. I have all 3 kids enrolled there and have used since my children were infants. They provide a very clean and safe and HAPPY atmosphere. Everyone there is friendly and professional. They provide wonderful feedback for parents so that you really feel they know the children. I have popped in unannounced on several occasions and have been just as happy as when they knew I was coming. They have great monthly progarms that my children really enjoy. My kids come home happy and clean and love seeing their friends and teachers everyday. They have great projects and I especially enjoy the journals they do with the kids as it a wonderful keepsake. I am happy that I found the school as it offers great hours and great care -- I just wish they had a parking lot! more

I have had my kids here for years. They both love coming to school and have learned so much here. The people are all caring and warm. They have a great curriculum geared to meet individual needs and they deliver on all their pormises. Much cleaner than other schools I have visited when I was shopping around and they really do a great job in every aspect. Pros: Wonderful dedicated teaching teams and great administration -- easy to talk to Cons: I whish they had a parking lot more